Tetracycline is an antibiotic that has been used since the mid-1950s. Today, many microorganisms are resistant to the 1st generation drug, they have adapted, and therefore it does not have such a detrimental effect on them as before. But even today, in difficult situations, doctors often recommend tetracycline: analogues of the new generation successfully cope with the disease.
What are tetracyclines (mode of action)
The group of tetracyclines and their derivatives (including semi-synthetic ones) has a little more than 260 drugs and almost 40 names. They are united by a chemical structure: a condensed 4-row system. The commonality of the structure causes a similar antimicrobial action and mechanism of influence.
The work of tetracyclines is based on bacteriostatic properties (the ability to stop the reproduction of microorganisms) by inhibiting (suppression) of protein synthesis of microbial cells.
So widethe production of drugs of this series is also due to their ability to influence a wide range of microorganisms. Among the latest:
- gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria,
- rickettsia,
- trachoma pathogen,
- ornithosis viruses,
- spirochetes,
- leptospira.
Over the years of long-term production, many microorganisms have developed resistance to the antibiotic tetracycline. Analogue, as a rule, is more effective. Preparations from a number of tetracyclines differ in the active substance, its quantity, strength and speed of action, method of application, absorption and excretion rate from the body.
Development history
The history of antibiotic use begins on February 12, 1942, when the first antibiotic was administered at Oxford University to terminally ill patients dying from blood poisoning. Within a few days they got better, and then they still died. The antibiotic was not found in the required quantities.
The very first of a large group of tetracyclines was isolated (from a radiant fungus) chlortetracycline. Today, doctors and patients know it under the name biomycin or aureomycin. This event happened in 1945 in Oxford. And already in 1948, its clinical and laboratory tests began. Just a year later, another antibiotic of this group appears - terramycin (oxytetracycline). And its use for medicinal purposes began the following year, 1950.
The semi-synthetic tetracycline known to all of us was synthesized in 1952. And only a year later they were able toisolated from the culture liquid of fungi.
Microorganisms have a very high resistance, they are able to quickly adapt to antibiotics, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of drugs. This fate did not spare tetracycline.
Today, scientists are forced to produce more and more new generations of antibiotics, and the family of drugs is rapidly replenished with new drugs with the latest active ingredients.
How an antibiotic works and when to use it
Scientists rightly considered that only microorganisms can effectively fight microorganisms. An antibiotic is essentially a substance isolated from the culture fluid of fungi, molds or microbes that can have a detrimental effect on other microorganisms.
Today there are two ways to produce antibiotics. They are produced from the waste products of living organisms or semi-synthetically.
Strictly speaking, the current semi-synthetic tetracycline is an analogue of a drug isolated from living microorganisms. Many scientists believe that antibiotics created using the latest technology are safer for patients.
The scope of application of drugs of the tetracycline family is quite wide. So, they are used:
- in inflammatory processes of the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, pleural epiema) caused by sensitive microbes;
- in the treatment of ENT infections;
- for the treatment of eye infections;
- in the treatment of infectious diseases of the genitourinaryareas (cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea, syphilis);
- for the treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases of the liver and biliary tract (cholecystitis, dysentery);
- for the treatment of skin infections (abscesses, boils, felons);
- in the treatment of febrile conditions (Q fever, Yellow Mountain spotted fever).
Types of drugs
The pharmaceutical industry successfully produces both antibiotics based on natural raw materials and semi-synthetic drugs. Today, not only tetracycline is used - new generation analogues have taken their place among a large family of antibiotics.
So, among the semi-synthetic can be called doxycycline and metacycline (derivatives of oxytetracycline). The next generation of tetracyclines were morphocycline and glycocycline. And the newest combination drug "Oleandomycin" is based on oletethrin and olemorphocycline.
Minocycline has gained wide popularity.
One of the most produced today will be "Doxycycline" and its derivatives, but along with the latest drugs, "Tetracycline" is also being produced. However, it occupies a significant place in this series of antibiotics.
Medication forms are also changing. In the last century, there were only tablets and powder for injection.
The very first forms of tetracycline were powders. They were diluted in saline and injected intramuscularly. Initially, the doses were large due to the low content of the active substance, and the injections are verypainful. In the future, along with injections, tablets began to be used.
Pills and capsules
Today, tetracycline antibiotics are a wide selection of lyophilates, tablets, ointments, eye drops, syrups. Now there are capsules containing tetracycline. An analogue of tablets to some extent solves the problem of the negative effect of the antibiotic on the stomach and digestive tract. Today, most antibiotics of the tetracycline group for oral use are produced just in capsules or coated tablets. These are drugs based on the following derivatives:
- doxycycline (Bassado, Vidoccin, Dovicin, Doxycycline),
- oleandomycin ("Oletetrin"),
- oxytetracycline and erythromycin (Erycycline),
- minocycline (Minocycline)
And also based on tetracycline itself: "Tetracycline AKOS", "Tetracycline LekT", tetracycline hydrochloride.
The use of these dosage forms is indicated for all types of internal infections: urinary, bronchopulmonary, intestinal. They are used as an adjunct to the treatment of ENT diseases and skin problems. Assign drugs of the tetracycline group to adults and children from 8-12 years old (depending on the drug). So, tetracycline and metacycline are prescribed from the age of 8, doxycycline - from 9, oxytetarcycline - from 10.
However, you should not buy on your own instead of the prescribed drug, which is based on tetracycline, an analogue. And the instruction, carefully studied before taking the medicine, and collected about the drugpositive reviews are not a guarantee that the tool is right for you. Yes, the symptoms described in the annotation and your symptoms may coincide; yes, the neighbor who advised you this medicine felt better literally after the first pill; yes, the active ingredients of both medicines are almost identical … But there is one thing, and experts do not get tired of repeating this. When prescribing a drug, the doctor takes into account many factors. As a rule, the medicine recommended by him is optimal for this particular case. So don't be selfish.
What is a lyophilisate?
This is a powder prepared in a special way (by freezing and vacuum drying), which is then diluted using a special technology and used for injections. Injections can be intramuscular and intravenous. The lyophilizate has many advantages, it can be stored much longer than antibiotics produced by other methods, has a higher concentration of useful substances, is absorbed better and faster.
However, when preparing the solution and administering it, you should strictly follow the instructions, otherwise the medicine may lose its beneficial properties or even harm the patient.
Tetracycline itself can be used as tablets, capsules and powder solution. There is no lyophilisate based on it, but a number of its new generation analogues (Vidoccine, Tagicil) are produced only as a lyophilisate for injections.
What else can replace tetracycline? its analogue,appointed quite often - "Doxycycline". The drug goes on sale both in capsules and as a lyophilisate.
Tetracycline with nystatin
This is a new generation drug that has not only antibacterial action, but also antifungal. It contains tetracycline and nystatin in equal amounts, it has a wide spectrum of action, is used for ENT infections, pneumonia, cholecystitis, sexually transmitted diseases, intestinal infections, acne, infectious diseases of bones and soft tissues. Available in coated tablets.
Many sites do not quite correctly name the drugs "Nystatin", "Oletetrin", "Tetracycline" as substitutes for "Tetracycline with nystatin" tablets. Analogues that completely match in effectiveness and mode of action with this medicine are not actually produced. The drugs mentioned above have only part of its functions.
Syrups and suspensions
Suspensions and syrups based on them are widely used in pediatrics. All parents know how reluctantly children drink bitter pills, and tetracycline (pills) is no exception. Analogues-suspensions allow you to mask the unpleasant taste of the medicine, make it more comfortable to take. Pharmacology produces mainly special powders, which are then diluted to a state of suspension, and then syrup.
Tetracycline itself and tetracycline hydrochloride are produced as a powder for suspension. Amongnew generation drugs can be called doxycycline hydrochloride, doxycycline monohydride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride.
The use of a suspension is most often practiced for colds and bronchopulmonary pathologies in children.
Ointments
Tetracycline-based ointments are intended for external use and for the treatment of eye infections. Not so long ago, tetracycline ointment was in demand, it was prescribed even to children (from 8 years old). But time does not stand still, the pharmaceutical market is replenished with modern drugs that are replacing drugs from the times of our mothers and grandmothers. What can replace such an ointment? We have named tetracycline analogues above. Of the preparations based on it, produced in this form, one can name Kolbitsion, which, in addition to tetracycline, includes chloramphenicol and colistimethate. Tobradex has proven itself well, however, the active ingredient here is tobramycin, and it is not an analogue of tetracycline, although it has a similar effect.
Ointment for external use (tetracycline) can also be replaced by Tetracycline AKOS. In fact, there are many recommended substitutes, but their active ingredient does not belong to the group of drugs we are considering, they only have a similar effect.
Drops
New generations of drugs based on doxycycline are available as eye drops. This, for example, "Innolir", it is effective for many eye infections.
Substitutes for such an antibiotic as tetracycline, an analogue of "Oxytetracycline" (solution) can be attributedonly conditionally. And you can bury their eyes only in extreme cases and under the supervision of a doctor.
Tetracycline eye ointment (1% and 3%) is also used as eye preparations, but there are no preparations based on other antibiotics of this group.
What does the instructions say about contraindications
Often, when it is impossible to use a drug based on a substance such as tetracycline, an analogue and a substitute from this group fit perfectly. The doctor will prescribe a new generation drug (doxycycline, oxytetracycline, metacycline), which can be used in this situation, and it will be effective.
Among the general contraindications are:
- allergic reactions to tetracycline;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding period;
- Children under 8;
- severe liver damage.
What is the danger of using tetracycline and its analogues?
A feature of all antibiotics is that they cause many side effects. Tetracycline is no exception. Analogues (any of the new generation) also have most of them. So, the most common side effects with short-term use would be:
- loss of appetite, vomiting or nausea;
- dizziness and headache;
- diarrhea, flatulence;
- inflammation of the gastric mucosa, gastritis and proctitis.
With long-term use among the unpleasant symptoms, patients often mention:
- marked deterioration of tooth enamel;
- stomatitis;
- exacerbation of diseasesurinary tract;
- increased sensitivity to sunlight;
- development of fungal diseases.
Can tetracycline be an effective substitute?
Often this question worries those who are attentive to their he alth and read the instructions for using the prescribed drug.
It is impossible to call a harmless drug, the main active ingredient of which is tetracycline. An analogue (any of the group), like the original, will also have many contraindications. However, it should be remembered here that the doctor prescribed the drug, and before that he must weigh the expected benefits of the application and the possible negative consequences.
Doctors prescribe a medicine (this also applies to the tetracycline group) only in cases where the benefit outweighs the possible negative consequences.
In no case should you use this drug or its analogues on your own. This also applies to topical application of ointments. After all, their long use can lead to serious problems.
